American Legion Watauga Post 49 is ready to showcase what they have to offer to veterans.
The Post will offer a revitalization program July 7-9 with the Post being open each day at 9 a.m.
“Our efforts the first two days will be Post officers reaching out to veterans,” David Batchelder told the Elizabethton Star.
The third day of the event will feature different officers on site, including Batchelder, providing information on what services are available at the legion.
“We’re going to have different officers on hand, including myself, giving information to people,” he said.
Watauga Post 49 is looking at revamping their numbers, according to Batchelder, with a decline in members due to current war veterans working full-time jobs.
“Our target population is declining,” he said. “Veterans that have recently served in Iraq and Afghanistan are working full-time jobs and aren’t able to be involved as they could be.”
Batchelder added the Post does a variety of efforts to assist veterans, including providing rides to doctors appointments and a way of veterans coming together to share stories.
“We’re always looking for people looking to assist with the Honor Guard,” Batchelder said, adding the Guard works at providing support at services for fallen members of the military.
Efforts by the facility aren’t just directed for veterans alone, with Batchelder adding the Post can work with families of veterans to point them in the right direction of what services are offered.
“Veterans are encouraged to stop by to learn more about the Post and what they are doing to assist other veterans in the community,” he said.
Any veteran or family member of a serviceman or woman can contact the Post at 423-542-1824 for more information.